Category Archives: Analysis

The War In Europe: Poland Expands As Military Power

The Telegraph (March 29, 2023) – Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland has been investing billions in new tanks, weaponry, cyber operations and manpower. By 2035 Poland hopes to double the size of its armed forces to 300,000 troops.

There is even talk of the country becoming a major military power in Europe. Watch The Telegraph’s Steven Edginton interview key members of the Polish military and politicians to understand why they are rearming. He also asked young Poles whether they are prepared to die for their country.

For Poland, investing in the military is no longer a luxury but a necessity. With conflict at their border (don’t forget that two Poles have already been casualties of this war, killed by a stray Ukrainian missile) Poland can no longer rely only on the United States and its Nato allies for protection.

Warsaw plans to increase military spending to 5% of its GDP, outspending its fellow European capitals relatively by a wide margin. Poland’s military expansion must be thought of within the context of the nation’s history. You don’t have to be a pensioner to remember a time when Poland was suffering under Communist rule.

Monuments to the Soviet oppressors litter cities like Warsaw, where one can wonder at Stalin’s “gift” to the Poles, the grand Palace of Culture, and despite the government’s best efforts to tear them down many statues still stand commemorating the Red Army as “liberators”.

Travel Safety: How Trains Derail, Explained (WSJ)

Wall Street Journal (March 28, 2023) – The train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, was just one of over 1,000 that happen every year. NTSB’s Michael Hiller explains the most common reasons trains come off the tracks and what can be done to prevent derailments.

Video timeline: 0:00 Why do trains derail and how can they be prevented? 0:37 One of the biggest causes of derailments are track issues 3:04 Other derailments stem from human errors or equipment failures 5:01 Why most derailments are not severe and could be prevented

Opinion: The World Of Xi Jinping, Painful Central Bank Choices, Roald Dahl

March 27, 2023: A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, we explore the world according to XI. Also, we look at the excruciating trade-off central bankers face (09:56) and why editing Roald Dahl for sensitivity was silly (17:28).

The world according to Xi

Even if China’s transactional diplomacy brings some gains, it contains real perils

Special Report: Insert Coin – The Rise Of Video Gaming

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The Economist – Special Reports (March 25, 2023)

Ready, player four billion: the rise of video games

As video games move from teenage distraction to universal pastime they are following the path of other mass media, says Tom Wainwright

Battles over streaming break out for video games

Streaming subscriptions have revolutionised music and television. What will they do to games?

Opinion: What’s Wrong With Banks, Bibi Breaks Israel, Sleep & Vaccines

March 20, 2023: A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, what’s wrong with the banks? Also, we ask whether Bibi will break Israel (10:39) and why men should get a good night’s sleep to ensure vaccines work properly (19:03).

What’s wrong with the banks

Rising interest rates have left banks exposed. Time to fix the system—again

Only ten days ago you might have thought that the banks had been fixed after the nightmare of the financial crisis in 2007-09. Now it is clear that they still have the power to cause a heart-stopping scare. A ferocious run at Silicon Valley Bank on March 9th saw $42bn in deposits flee in a day. svb was just one of three American lenders to collapse in the space of a week. Regulators worked frantically over the weekend to devise a rescue. Even so, customers are asking once again if their money is safe.

Will Bibi break Israel?

When Israel’s best and brightest are up in arms it is time to worry

This should have been Israel’s moment. As it approaches its 75th birthday in April the risk of a conventional war with neighbouring Arab states, for decades an existential danger, is at its lowest since 1948. The last Palestinian intifada, or uprising against occupation, ended 18 years ago. Israel’s tech-powered economy is more successful and globally relevant than ever. Last year gdp per person hit $55,000, making it richer than the eu.

To ensure vaccines work properly, men should get a good night’s sleep

The case for women is less clear

FILE -- A man in bed in New York, Nov. 10, 2004. Some hospitals are trying to allow patients to get more rest. Yale-New Haven Hospital has empowered nurses to change medication schedules to minimize sleep disruptions and to tick off other tasks before patients go to bed. (Rahav Segev/The New York Times)Credit: New York Times / Redux / eyevineFor further information please contact eyevinetel: +44 (0) 20 8709 8709e-mail: info@eyevine.comwww.eyevine.com

Vaccines get all the glory, but it is really the immune system that does the heavy lifting. Indeed, those with weak immune systems often benefit little from vaccines. Aware of this, researchers have long thought that people deprived of sleep also ought to benefit less from vaccines, as sleeping less is thought to reduce immune function. A new analysis reveals that this is clearly the case—though only in men.

Opinion: Avoiding War In Taiwan, Mystery Of Dead Britons, Office Irritations

March 13, 2023: A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, how to avoid war over Taiwan, the mystery of 250,000 dead Britons (9:50) and the small consolations of office irritations (18:20).

Special Report: ‘Frontline Formosa – Taiwan In Peril’

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The Economist – Special Reports (March 11, 2023)

Taiwan is a vital island that is under serious threat

Taiwan’s fate will, ultimately, be decided by the battle-readiness of its people

Opinion: Curing Obesity, Ron DeSantis’ Foreign Policy, Entrepreneur Hype

March 6, 2023: A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, how to cure obesity, Ron DeSantis’s foreign policy doctrine (10:53) and why hype can help and hinder entrepreneurs (17:00).

American Economy: The $2 Trillion Green Stimulus

The Economist (March 2, 2023) – America is spending trillions of dollars in an effort to make the country stronger, greener and richer. These are the three key things you need to know about the plan and its chances of success.

Video timeline: 00:00 – A new green America 00:30 – Democrats are being ambitious 01:14 – Manufacturing will move to America 01:53 – Planning could be a stumbling block

To read more about Biden’s plans to remake America’s economy: https://econ.st/3IEGNiP

Preview: Foreign Affairs Magazine – March 2023

March/April 2023

Foreign Affairs – March/April 2023 issue:

What Russia Got Wrong

Can Moscow Learn From Its Failures in Ukraine?

Pakistan’s Twin Crises

The Dangerous Convergence of a Collapsing Economy and Surging Terrorism

Israel’s Dangerous Shadow War With Iran

Why the Risk of Escalation Is Growing